American Samoa is a territory in the South Pacific of the United States. Its public holidays celebrate a mix of American and Samoan traditions. From New Year’s Day to Happy Christmas Day, these holidays mark important events, honor respected leaders, and unite communities.
There are 13 public holidays in America Samoa in 2025. Each has its own meaning and cultural celebrations. This blog will explore these special days’ history, importance, and celebrations. Join us as we explore these special holidays that make up the 2025 calendar for American Samoa.
Public Holidays In American Samoa In 2025
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day, January 1st, marks the start of the new Gregorian calendar year in American Samoa. American Samoa observes US federal holidays like New Year’s Day as an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States.
The holiday is a day of new beginnings and possibilities for American Samoans. It is celebrated with church services, family gatherings, feasting, and Samoan cultural festivities. The day allows one to reflect on the past year and set future goals in American Samoa.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the American civil rights leader who advanced racial equality through nonviolent resistance. American Samoa, a US territory, marks the holiday on the third Monday in January with community events and services.
The celebration promotes King’s vision of justice, dignity, and peace for everyone, regardless of race. The holiday signifies the ongoing struggle against prejudice and the value of diversity. Martin Luther King Jr. Day keeps King’s dream of unity and racial harmony alive in American Samoa.
| Know More:- Holidays In Andorra In 2025 |
President’s Day
President’s Day is a federal holiday celebrated in American Samoa on the third Monday of February, honoring past US presidents. It started with a day of recognizing America’s first president, George Washington.
Now, it celebrates all those who have served as US president and recognizes their contributions.
In American Samoa, the holiday is a time to reflect on US history, government, and the presidency.
President’s Day underscores American Samoa’s political relationship with the United States as an unincorporated territory.
Flag Day
Flag Day, April 17th, marks the official adoption of the American Samoa territorial flag in 1960. The blue and white flag features the Southern Cross constellation, symbolizing American Samoa’s place in the South Pacific.
Flag Day honors American Samoa’s history, cultural identity, and political status as a US territory. It is celebrated through flag-raising ceremonies, parades, arts and crafts, and cooking. It is an essential celebration of the country’s pride, self-governance, and unity with the United States.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a special day for Christians. It’s a time to remember when Jesus Christ was killed on the cross. In American Samoa, where most people are Christian, Good Friday is a severe day of prayer and fasting.
All the businesses and government offices close as people go to church services. They remember that Jesus died to take away the sins of the world. Good Friday is a day of sadness and sorrow, but it leads to the happy celebration of Easter Sunday.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States to remember the people who were in the military and died while serving their country. It honors American Samoans who died in wars, especially during World War II when they fought against the Japanese.
On this day, there are serious ceremonies. People decorate the graves of those who died. Also, flags are flown at half-staff (lowered) to consider the sacrifices for freedom.
It is an important day to show appreciation for those who gave their lives to protect the United States. This shows how American Samoa is connected to the U.S. through military service and sacrifices.
Independence Day
Independence Day, July 4th, marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the liberation of the United States from British rule in 1776. It honors the American founding principles of liberty, democracy, and self-governance.
People mark the holiday with American traditions, like picnics, parades, fireworks, and sports. The day shows the strong connection between American Samoa and the United States. It proudly celebrates America’s lasting values of freedom and independence.
Manu’a Cession Day
Manu’a Cession Day is a holiday that remembers when the leader of Manu’a, Tui Manu’a Elisala, and the United States signed an agreement in 1904 to have the Manu’a Islands become part of the United States. This holiday falls on July 16, 2025.
Manu’a Cession Day celebrates the heritage of American Samoa and the relationship with the United States that began in the early 1900s. People mark the holiday with traditional dancing, reenactments, and other cultural events.
Labor Day
Labor Day is a holiday in American Samoa celebrated on the first Monday of September. It is to honor the hard work and achievements of workers. This holiday started from efforts by worker groups fighting for better pay, shorter hours, and safer jobs in the late 1800s.
It recognizes the important workers at the tuna canneries and other public and private jobs in the territory. People celebrate the holiday weekend with community events, family get-togethers, and traditional customs. Labor Day represents the American Samoan people’s hard work and unique work culture.
Columbus Day
Columbus Day is a holiday in American Samoa that celebrates the arrival of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. It falls on the second Monday in October, which is October 13, 2025.
The day honors Columbus’ voyage under the Spanish crown, which led Europeans to explore and control the new lands. It also recognizes the early contact between Samoans and Europeans, which started in the 1700s.
It also acknowledges Western colonization’s positive and negative impact on American Samoan society. This controversial holiday is mainly seen as a day off from work and school.
| Know More:- Holidays In Angola In 2025 |
Veterans’ Day
Veterans’ Day honors all American people who served in the U.S. military and thanks them for their service and sacrifices. It especially recognizes the local American Samoan veterans who fought for the U.S. during World War II and other wars.
The holiday is celebrated with cultural events, memorial services, and ceremonies to show American Samoa’s appreciation. The day affirms the close relationship between American Samoa and the U.S. through military service over many years. It is an important observance that honors the dedication and patriotism of American Samoan veterans to the United States.
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in American Samoa. It falls on the fourth Thursday of November based on the early harvest festivals.
Samoan families come together for this holiday to give thanks, go to religious services, eat traditional foods, and share cultural performances. Thanksgiving marks the harvest season and the blessings people have received.
This holiday also has a deeper meaning in American Samoa. In 2009, a tsunami caused extensive damage, and the territory is still recovering. The day celebrates the Samoan values of family, community, spirituality, and the ability to keep going even in hard times.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day, on December 25th, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important Christian holidays in American Samoa.
The day includes special church services, plays about Jesus’ birth, traditional feasting, and time with family. Christmas shows the deep Christian faith and identity of American Samoa, with lots of decorations and gift-giving.
Christmas is a joyful time to celebrate peace, hope, and generosity. The day strengthens Christian values and brings families and communities together in American Samoa.
Below is the list of public holidays in American Samoa in 2025.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan 20, 2025 | Monday |
| President’s Day | Feb 17, 2025 | Monday |
| Flag Day | Apr 17, 2025 | Thursday |
| Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday |
| Memorial Day | May 26, 2025 | Monday |
| Independence Day | Jul 04, 2025 | Friday |
| Manu’a Cession Day | Jul 16, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Labor Day | Sep 01, 2025 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | Oct 13, 2025 | Monday |
| Veterans’ Day | Nov 11, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 27, 2025 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |